Wives and Champions by Tina Martin Page B

this
baby?”
    “ That’s not what I’m
saying, Dante.”
    “ Then what are you saying, because
I’m confused.”
    “ The same thing I said
before. I’m not ready for another baby. We’re not ready. I just got back
into the swing of things here at the boutique after being home with
Ezra for six months and now I’m pregnant again. It’s all fine and
dandy for you to be excited about having another child. You don’t
have to experience any of the symptoms that come along with
pregnancy. You don’t have to worry about morning sickness,
heartburn, the mood changes, fatigue, bloating, and constipation.
It’s not your body that has to stretch to the size of a blimp. It’s
mine. And I have
to change my schedule because of course your work is more important than
mine. And your solution is for me to stay at home. To quit my job
and be a full-time mother.”
    Dante frowned. He took a step back
from her and said, “So you don’t want my baby?”
    “ That’s not what I’m
saying, Dante.”
    “ Well, that’s all I hear,”
he said raising his voice. “You know what…I’m going back to the
office before I completely lose my mind in here.”
    “ Fine. Go. I already lost
my mind. Ezra needs to have at least one sane parent!”
    Dante stopped, turned around and
looked at her. “You know what’s funny? And it’s not even funny…it’s
more ironic than anything. I would give you anything you ever
wanted in life. Anything. Just like I practically gave you this
boutique and went as far as to have it redone for you. I would give
you anything, Emily. But you’re complaining because you have my
baby, our baby, growing inside of you like it’s the worst thing in
the world. We discussed children. This isn’t new. We both wanted
children.”
    “ I didn’t say I didn’t want
children.”
    “ You just said you didn’t
want the baby.”
    “ No. I said I wasn’t
ready.”
    “ Now you’re playing with
words.”
    Emily shook her head.
    “ Make up your mind, Emily.
I’m very decisive. You know that about me. I have no doubt in my
mind that you, and a family, is what I want. It’s what I’ve always
wanted, but if that’s not what you want, be straightforward with
me. If this shop means more to you than our family—”
    “ What?” she
interrupted.
    He continued, “If
this shop means
more to you than our family, then just tell me that and stop
wasting my time, Emily.” Dante turned away from her and walked out
of the office.
    Emily held her head in her hands.
Suddenly, an argument about her pregnancy had spiraled out of
control into something much more.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    “ Come back here, little
girl,” Melanie said, chasing Grace around the island in the
kitchen. They’d just finished up lunch. Grace had one of her
favorites – mashed sweet potatoes – and Melanie made a small garden
salad for herself. When they were done eating, Grace waddled around
the table with her little, chubby legs. She seemed proud of herself
for knowing how to work them a little better now that she could run
without many falls.
    After she played with Grace until she
tired her out, Melanie lowered her sleeping beauty in her crib
then, downstairs, she got comfortable on the couch with her
laptop.
    “ Ah,” she said, exhaling.
“Finally. Some mommy time.” Every mom needed her own personal time
as far as she was concerned. Life could very easily overwhelm
mothers, especially being the primary caregiver of their children
and all.
    Melanie kicked up her feet on the
coffee table and crossed them at the ankles. She opened her laptop,
browsed around on social media and beauty blogs before checking her
email.
    She reached for her cell phone to call
Dimitrius when she saw a text message from a number she didn’t
recognize:
     
    828-555-7970 :
you owe me an explanation.
     
    Melanie frowned. Whoever it was
must’ve had the wrong number. She replied back:
     
    Melanie :
Sorry. Think you have the wrong number.
    828-555-7970 :
no,